|
Post by RonThompson on Oct 29, 2003 23:04:26 GMT -5
To Difflock- You're right, I don't have a lot of rally experience, only having marshalled the RAC a couple of times.
I accept what you say, but the logistics of policing all roads, particularly for support vehicle and spectator behaviour, seem pretty daunting.
a) How do you cover all points? b) How do you actually prevent people from speeding?
In this particular case, do we know the car was speeding? Was the driver competent? Did he have a crew number on the car?
Anyway, I agree that anything that can be done to prevent this sort of thing would be an improvement.
|
|
JonME4x4
New Board Participant
Veteran Club Member
Posts: 28
|
Post by JonME4x4 on Oct 30, 2003 11:20:16 GMT -5
Judging by the distance between the 'bounce' impact marks, I would say he was speeding. Aside from that, I can't say whether the driver was competent - he may have lost a front tyre or something. It's nigh on impossible to Police these sorts of things here - look how difficult it is for the Police to enforce safe driving standards on the Sheikh Zayed or Emirates Roads...
|
|
|
Post by Fouad Berjaoui on Oct 30, 2003 12:01:21 GMT -5
I have to confess I was speeding back to the bivouac on that gatch road too, I was going over 100 km/h. That gatch road had these metal roads planted by the construction people? you know these rods with red nylon straps at the top ??
They are usually planted on both sides of the road, but all of a sudden 2 of them appeared right in the middle of the road and they were over 1 meter high unlike the foot long ones planted on the side. I still have their mark on my front bumper.
Maybe the accident car was too close to the side of the road and hit a short one and blew up its tyre ?? just a theory. I didnt see the accident site Jon, taking that into consideration would it be possible ??
Fouad
|
|
|
Post by difflock on Oct 30, 2003 12:53:45 GMT -5
That is the whole point. If spectators, competitors or crews have to take a road that is presenting any kind of unusual danger, as this road was, and knowing that m\some if not most of them will speed any way, there are only two solutions: 1- change the plan and find another alternative with good roads and as close and short as possible to real tarmac or : 2- have a couple of marshalls policing, or at least trying to, the bad and dangerous section.
The car involved in the accident, whatever caused the accident, was obviously : 1- driving on the left side of the road putting other drivers coming against him in danger and 2- speeding.
Difflock
|
|
|
Post by Fouad Berjaoui on Oct 30, 2003 14:04:23 GMT -5
Well in all fairness, John Spiller had asked me and my team to handle traffic in two particular points (one on day 2 and one on day 3) they very particular points where the racing routes CROSSES a gatch road. We were to insure traffic is safe for the competitors in case the Police doesn't show up. I had briefed my team about it at one of the early meetings, but then at the last moment we were asked to stand down and handle only banners. Police would handle traffic. what I am trying to say is : you can monitor certain hazardous crossings, but to monitor the entire track AND access routes, maybe, but with the amount of marshals recruited I dont think that was an option. In previous years MDC used to recruit 200 Marshals with various schedules with some only attending for one day. This year, they recruited 50 but full time marshals. I think there should be around 20 marshals to do something called "assistance". i.e. troubleshooters to handle various conditions and situations that can arise during the event. I had been asked to form an "emergency response team" of 4 vehicles with 2 cars patroling asphalt roads each day near the race area and another 2 vehicles on stand by at the bivouac. I had made provisions for that, but as I said, somehow, the whole idea was dropped at the last moment and we were asked to concentrate purely on banners. Despite being purely banner team, we were asked on various occasions to assist in marshalling. Particularly at the finish PC who were having problems directing competitiors to the right track. David Beatton assissted the "Finish" PC on day one, myself and Hussein assisted the Finish PC on day2 (at their request) , this was when some people accused us of leaving our duties and playing on the dunes. We were actually marshaling around 500 meters from the finish line. Most competitors were going the wrong way, we had to redirect. hehe I still remember one of the Japanese Bikers who lost the finish PC, when I redirect him using my headlights, he stood up on his bike and bowed to me as a sign of "thank you" Japanese Style . Maybe you have a point Difflock, but I guess there wasnt enough marshals to do that. Fouad
|
|
|
Post by DG on Oct 31, 2003 10:14:37 GMT -5
like last year, no information (at least we have to know who win the day X), no organisation for the food even for competoitors (if you have to leave early from the bivouc you can only eat sand! same if you come in latethe evening. If you want to eat between 12 / 1 pm you have to go to the small grocery in town or to pay your food in the restaurant of the bivouac!). For next year, I think I will go like spectator only. DG
|
|
Klaus
Senior Board Participant
Veteran Club Member
Posts: 231
|
Post by Klaus on Nov 21, 2003 7:57:58 GMT -5
I made a nice VCD from the prologue my girlfriend recorded from TV, there is a glimse of you and also of me. You are interrested? I make a copy for you.
Klaus
|
|
|
Post by RonThompson on Nov 22, 2003 0:02:06 GMT -5
I'd love a copy Klaus-CD or tape, whichever is easiest for you.
Ron ron.thompson@sumitomocorp.co.jp
|
|
Klaus
Senior Board Participant
Veteran Club Member
Posts: 231
|
Post by Klaus on Nov 22, 2003 9:01:56 GMT -5
The video vhs tape is the full prologue recording as shown on tv 1h36m. the cd is cut down to 1h to fit on the disk. most of the bikes are missing. Its 8m from the begin of the prologue and then only cars, but complete. I cannot make a copy of the tape, have only 1 recorder. Feel free to borrow the tape, only I live in Dubai.
|
|